Chocolate And Assam Tea Prune Brownies

September 29, 2011 // 38 Comments // Baking , Brownie , Chocolate , Rare

The inspiration for this brownie came from the Bourke Street Bakery cookbook. They have a delectable brownie recipe that calls for prunes macerated in alcohol for three days. As amazing as it sounds, I am always a tad skeptical about giving the kids anything alcohol soaked. So I decided to experiment with Assam tea.

I brewed some hot, strong Assam tea and soaked the prunes in it. I let them soak for 24 hours. The brownies that I baked with them were moist with a beautiful flaky crust and chewy fudgey middle redolent with a delicate tea flavour. The chocolate and tea soaked prunes went very well together. Coming across a juicy prune as I bit into the brownie was a treat I was looking forward to in every bite.

The kids had a customary brownie mainly to please me but were not crazy about it. The adults on the other hand couldn’t stop at one. In retrospect I should I made the brownies with alcohol soaked brownies and just spared the kids the misery of having to eat a chocolate cake with suspicious bits in it.

As with all Bourke Street Bakery recipes, this one is unique and hits the sweet spot. It is worth it just to have your friend bite into a brownie and amidst sighs of approval try to figure out what that beautiful taste is?

CHOCOLATE AND ASSAM TEA PRUNE BROWNIES

Preparation Time – 20 minutes + 24 hours soaking

Baking Time – 1 hour

Makes – 32

Ingredients

1 1/3 cup pitted prunes, chopped

200ml hot Assam tea

55g plain flour

1/3 cup cocoa powder

1/4 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

300g good quality dark chocolate

80g unsalted butter

300g caster sugar

4 eggs

100g sour cream

1 cup dark chocolate melts

Method

Place the prunes in a bowl. Pour over the tea. Cover and set aside for 24 hours.

Preheat the oven to 170C(325F). Grease a 20 x 30 x 4 cm ( 8 x 12 x 1 1/2 inch ) rectangular cake tin and line the base and sides with baking paper.

Sift the flour, cocoa, salt and baking powder in a bowl.. Put the chocolate, butter and sugar in a stainless steel bowl and sit over a pan of simmering water, making sure the base of the bowl does not touch the water. Stir for 10 minutes until the chocolate has melted. Allow to cool.

Add eggs one at a time to the chocolate mixture and mix with an electric mixer until well combined. Add the flour, sour cream and mix with the mixer. Stir in chocolate melts and prunes gently until just combined.

Spoon mixture into prepared tin and bake in the oven for 1 hour until just set. Allow to cool completely in the tin before turning it out. Dip knife in hot water, wipe down and cut to make neat squares. Dust with some cocoa powder. The brownies will stay for upto 4 days at room temperature. If they last.

More Recipes From Bourke Street Bakery Cookbook

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38 Responses to “Chocolate And Assam Tea Prune Brownies”

Lisa 29. Sep, 2011 at 10:20 am #

Oooh I made this recipe (with the tea, not the booze) when I first got the book and they disappeared before I could take any photos hah. I loved the prunes but I think I’ll try them with dates next time I make them. Love your gorgeous moody photos!
Lisa´s last [type] ..Beef Ribs with Pomegranate BBQ Sauce

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- Sneh 02. Oct, 2011 at 8:56 am #
  
  Dates sound good. I should try them with dates and alcohol I think too!
  
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chocolatesuze 29. Sep, 2011 at 11:17 am #

love the look of your beautifully crackly brownies!

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Jennifer (Delicieux) 29. Sep, 2011 at 11:36 am #

Your brownies look delectable Sneh!! I love how you’ve incorporated tea instead of alcohol.
Jennifer (Delicieux)´s last [type] ..Homemade Ricotta

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Amanda @ Traditional Foods 29. Sep, 2011 at 2:37 pm #

I like the recipe (and photos of course). I like your twist on the prune soaking but I may need to try the alcohol.
Amanda @ Traditional Foods´s last [type] ..Epazote: How to Use, Where to Buy Epazote

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Sukaina 29. Sep, 2011 at 3:01 pm #

When will we mothers learn and stop sneaking ‘suspicious bits’ into foods?! Well I would have more than one anytime. Love the vintage feel to your photos Sneh!
Sukaina´s last [type] ..Chocolate and Nut Bark

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pickyin @ LifeIsGreat 29. Sep, 2011 at 3:17 pm #

While I already have a favorite brownie recipe, I might just try this one when I feel like having ‘suspicious bits’ in my brownies. Not that Vijay would touch any of it if the prunes are inside (… which may be a good thing for me).
pickyin @ LifeIsGreat´s last [type] ..Lemon Layer Cake with 7-Minute Frosting

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- Sneh 02. Oct, 2011 at 8:57 am #
  
  Vijay won’t eat suspicious bits? lol
  
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Y 29. Sep, 2011 at 4:37 pm #

I like the idea of an assam tea infused brownie. Hard to believe the kids didn’t take to it at all (it’s chocolate!) .. but more for the adults is a definite plus

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Grishma 29. Sep, 2011 at 4:59 pm #

Love the idea of using tea into chocolate brownies
Beautiful pics as well.
Grishma´s last [type] ..Sun-dried tomato pesto Breakfast rolls

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Ali 29. Sep, 2011 at 7:36 pm #

Love how your brownies look… so mouth watering. Loved the idea of using tea instead of alcohol at least I can make this Such a lovely post, nice blog

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- Sneh 02. Oct, 2011 at 8:58 am #
  
  Thanks for stopping by Ali!
  
  Reply
eatmarvin 29. Sep, 2011 at 8:21 pm #

Looks crunchy and delicious! I could probably eat the whole tray!
eatmarvin´s last [type] ..Ichiban Boshi Sydney

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The Yummy Morsel 30. Sep, 2011 at 12:43 am #

Looks Yum! Beautiful pics.

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Sommer@ASpicyPerspective 30. Sep, 2011 at 1:20 am #

Wow, I’ve heard of black bean brownies, but never prune brownies. You are my hero!
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective´s last [type] ..Grilled Mustard-Maple Chicken

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Thanh @ eat little bird 30. Sep, 2011 at 4:10 am #

Gorgeous photos! I am an absolute fan of brownies and prunes, so this recipe could be a real winner with me. I happen to love prunes soaked in alcohol (such as Armagnac) … you’ve got my taste buds tempted!
Thanh @ eat little bird´s last [type] ..Totally Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies

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kankana 30. Sep, 2011 at 4:23 am #

I have always liked trying out with ingredients but never thought of adding tea anywhere. I am a tea drinker and this brownies are straight in my wish list now. Saw some gorgeous prunes last weekend in the market .. will have to pick those when I go this time.
kankana´s last [type] ..Black And White Wednesday

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chinmayie @ love food eat 30. Sep, 2011 at 5:17 pm #

I have no words!! This just makes me want to cry!!! Such a perfect looking brownie… love the crust and the gooey insides Once again I am a great fan of your photos! There is something very unique about your style!
chinmayie @ love food eat´s last [type] ..Cupcake Baking! Photos…

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- Sneh 02. Oct, 2011 at 8:57 am #
  
  Thanks very much Chinmayie!
  
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Petra 30. Sep, 2011 at 9:31 pm #

Yum! – and what a gorgeous recipe card – your best yet!

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Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets 01. Oct, 2011 at 8:27 am #

What a fascinating combination of flavors — really a unique brownie!
Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets´s last [type] ..UPrinting Postcards Giveaway!

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Manju 01. Oct, 2011 at 10:55 am #

those look soo nice and crumbly!!
Manju´s last [type] ..Anjum’s Black-eyed Pea Curry

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Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen 01. Oct, 2011 at 2:01 pm #

I’ve loved every recipe that I’ve made from Bourke Street Bakery so far, so I’m sure I would love this as well. I like the way you did the recipe in the photo, really nice!
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen´s last [type] ..Marinated Roasted Eggplant, Zucchini and Tomatoes with Garlic and Thyme | Preserving Summer

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- Sneh 02. Oct, 2011 at 8:56 am #
  
  Thanks Sylvie That book is such a powerhouse of amazing recipes!
  
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penny aka jeroxie 01. Oct, 2011 at 10:49 pm #

One word – YUM! The photos are amazing and I bet it tastes amazing. I have been to try out this recipe.
penny aka jeroxie´s last [type] ..Gumshara Ramen, Haymarket

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J2Kfm (Malaysian Food & Travel) 02. Oct, 2011 at 5:23 pm #

Amazing shots, jumped here from Meeta’s site. I’ll be back for more inspiring shots.

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Holiday Baker Man 02. Oct, 2011 at 6:19 pm #

What a great combination!
Holiday Baker Man´s last [type] ..Travel: Four Seasons Hualalai – Big Island

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Anamika 04. Oct, 2011 at 7:54 am #

Brownies for me tops the list of all things good and these pics are just so so good. With the perfect crust. And ya even I’m going to try with alcohol but loved the idea of assam tea. Thanks for sharing such a fab recipe!
Anamika´s last [type] ..Indian Shortbread – Cardamom & Saffron Nankhatai

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Jun 04. Oct, 2011 at 4:24 pm #

I am a big fan of Bourke Street Bakery. I don’t own the cookbook. I have never been there. But I read about it so much, it is one place that I am obsessed about every time I think of bread and Sydney.

I would try making this in the near future. Thank you so much for the recipe.
Jun´s last [type] ..Strawberry Jelly #03

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Madame Fromage 05. Oct, 2011 at 2:29 pm #

Goodness, these look smashing! I love the thought of Assam tea, prunes, and chocolate together. You just made my night. Lovely blog. Just discovered it as I wandered the Net. Cheers!
Madame Fromage´s last [type] ..Paging Contest Winners

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Ellie | Gourmand Recipes 05. Oct, 2011 at 3:57 pm #

I have been drooling over these brownies since I bought the book. Your photos look even better than the one in the cookbook. Love your Assam tea soaked prunes. Wished I could have a slice now.

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jas 06. Oct, 2011 at 8:42 am #

oh my! you know I bake cakes and blog them but there’s something about a moist fudgy, slightly crunchy on top brownie that takes my heart (read: taste buds) away! I will be trying these!

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Nash 06. Oct, 2011 at 10:45 am #

Good to see this thing and I was just like starving while watching the pictures. These really looks smashing! I love the thought of Assam tea, prunes, and chocolate together. Great!
Nash´s last [type] ..How To Get Rid Of Man Boobs

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Vijitha 10. Oct, 2011 at 12:21 pm #

What a brilliant idea to add tea to brownies? I am sure that will further deepen the brown shade. I add tea extract for darkening the color of chole masala. I hate prunes, somehow that has never been in my grocery list. I used to buy that during pregnancy. Now after seeing your post, I am curious to try it in brownies
Vijitha´s last [type] ..Suvir’s Salmon "en papillote" with tomato chutney

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aarthi 11. Oct, 2011 at 3:11 pm #

First time here……i love your blog style..Brownies are my favorite ..This looks really good…Following your blog straight away..If you have time Check out my blog too..

Aarthi
http://yummytummy-aarthi.blogspot.com/
I am having a Giveaway..
http://yummytummy-aarthi.blogspot.com/2011/10/3-reason-to-celebrate-3-cookbooks.html
aarthi´s last [type] ..Thai Vegetarian Drunken Noodles

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Aldy @ Al Dente Gourmet 07. Dec, 2011 at 8:33 pm #

Sneh, This sounds absolutely lovely! Looks so crunchy and delicate Gorgeous!

Hugs <3
Aldy @ Al Dente Gourmet´s last [type] ..Spice Cookies with Sesame Seeds And Holiday Stencils

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Andrea (questfordelish) 08. Dec, 2011 at 1:59 am #

I love brownies that are crusty on the top and dark and moist in the inside.

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Bhakti 28. Dec, 2011 at 12:11 am #

Hi Sneh,
I dnt know how I landed onto ur website….but browsing thru it made me feel so hungry for brownies esp. I like ur effort and passion with food blogging. Keep it up!!

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